The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #171413   Message #4145616
Posted By: cnd
27-Jun-22 - 09:14 AM
Thread Name: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
Subject: RE: Singing On the Mountain (NC Gospel Fest)
The album mentioned that several famous musicians have participated. While I haven't done a deep dive on the festival yet, I plan to eventually. Some of the names mentioned at the festival include George Hamilton IV, Arthur Smith, and even Johnny Cash. According to the Cockman Family (one of this year's performers), Cash reportedly sang his song Ragged Old Flag the year he was at the festival. When he sang it, the festival was seeing some of its most prosperous years, and from the thousands of attendees he was able to find a tattered American flag out in the crowd; the flag was passed up to him before the song, and he sang it with that 'ragged old flag' draped around his shoulders.

Here's a few other links which give good summaries of the event. Both links have been archived:
- 2022 Singing on the Mountain Ends Long-Time Tradition With Farewell Reunion Sunday, June 26
- Whosoever Will May Come — One Last Time; Singing on the Mountain’s 96 Year Tradition Ends Sunday, June 26

The above-mentioned Winston-Salem, NC born Hamilton IV enjoyed performing his song "Acres of Diamonds" for many years at the festival. In fact, here's a video of him performing it at the festival in 2014 I just came across. (link)

ACRES OF DIAMONDS

Acres of diamonds, mountains of gold
Rivers of silver, jewels untold
All these together wouldn't buy you or me
Peace when we're sleeping or a conscience that's free

A heart that's contented, a satisfied mind
These are the treasures money can't buy
If you have Jesus, there's more wealth in your soul
Than acres of diamonds, mountains of gold